Photonic Systems Circuits & Sensors Group

Location:  Highfield Campus
Salary:   £32,348 to £35,333 per annum
Full Time Fixed Term for 12 months
Closing Date:  Tuesday 04 October 2022
Interview Date:   To be confirmed
Reference:  1979722PN

Come and join Dr James Gates and Prof Corin Gawith as part of a large and enthusiastic research community of academics, post-docs, and PhD students in the Zepler Institute (ZI) at the University of Southampton focussing on the fabrication of planar optical waveguides and Bragg gratings. 

You will manufacture and characterise planar Bragg gratings for a variety of applications in optical sensing and quantum technology. This work will be based on bespoke fabrication facilities developed within our research group, including a suite of flame hydrolysis deposition and direct UV writing tools hosted by the ZI. Computer-assisted modelling of integrated planar devices will be performed using commercial software packages FimmWave and MATLAB. To enable this, we seek a researcher with relevant postgraduate/post-doctoral/industrial experience in one or more of the following areas: planar optical waveguide fabrication, planar waveguide characterisation, laser inscription, and direct UV writing of Bragg gratings. 

It is essential you have a PhD* in Physics/Engineering/Material Science or equivalent and a strong background in optics. A hands-on approach and excellent experimental skills are required. You will work as part of a large team and will contribute to the writing of research publications and funding bids.

There are a great range of benefits that includes a contributory pension scheme; holiday entitlement of 30 days plus 8 bank holidays and 6 additional holidays (closure days); subsidised health and fitness facilities on-site; cycle to work scheme; a range of discounts which include restaurants, retail outlets and entertainment.

The University holds an Athena SWAN silver award in recognition of its’ continued commitment to improving equality for women in science and engineering.  We will give due consideration to applicants that wish to work flexibly including part-time and due consideration will be given to applicants who have taken a career break. The University has a generous maternity policy*, and onsite childcare facilities.  

 The University of Southampton is the top one per cent of world universities and in the top 10 of the UK’s research-intensive universities.

*Applications for Research Fellow positions will be considered from candidates who are working towards or nearing completion of a relevant PhD qualification.  The title of Research Fellow will be applied upon successful completion of the PhD.  Prior to the qualification being awarded the title of Senior Research Assistant will be given.

The appointment is for a 12-month period, ideally starting as soon as possible. 

Informal enquiries are welcomed and should be directed to Dr James Gates gates@southampton.ac.uk

Application Procedure 

You should submit your completed online application form at https://jobs.soton.ac.uk. The application deadline will be midnight on the closing date stated above. If you need any assistance, please call Lauren (Recruitment Team) on +44 (0) 23 8059 2750, or email recruitment@soton.ac.uk. Please quote reference 1979722PN on all correspondence.